Behavior-Based Interview:

The Interviewee Perspective
What Is BBI?

Behavior-Based Interviewing (BBI) is a 

standardized method of interviewing 

designed to evaluate how a candidate will 

perform on the job. The 

technique is based on 

the principle that 

the best indicator of 

future behavior is 

past behavior. 
What Is BBI?, continued

BBI is a method that helps the interviewer 

evaluate the candidate’s ability to do the job 

rather than the candidate’s personality.

BBI focus is on KEY behaviors, skills, and 

actions. It includes an assessment of 

essential technical and performance skills. 

Job analysis is used as the basis 

and questions are job related.
• Know yourself and your achievements.

• Review the job announcement and 

competencies identified for the position.

• Compare the competencies to your 

job history.

• Be prepared to share examples that show 

how you have demonstrated these 

competencies in the past.

How Do You Prepare?
• Ask for a moment to think, if necessary.

• Make responses specific and detailed. 

• Use the STAR format. (next slide)

• Be honest. 

• Answer question(s) completely. 

• Expect the interviewer to take notes.

After each question the interviewee/ applicant 

should:

During the Interview
Situation and Task

What was the situation?

Action

What, if any, obstacles did you 

encounter?

What action(s) did you take?

Result

What were the results of this activity?

Situation

Task

Action

Reaction

STAR Format
Question: “Tell me about a time 

when your initiative caused a 

positive change to occur.”

Situation and Task

Customer upset that order was delayed over one week

Action

Listened, clarified problem, checked order, followed-up with 

customer

Result

Order delivered next day, waived fees, customer pleased

STAR Example
• Give an example of when you had to work with 

someone who was difficult to get along with.

• How/why was this person difficult and how did 

you handle it?

• Describe a situation that required you to do a 

number of things at the same time. How did you 

handle it and what was the result?

Sample BBI Questions
Sample BBI Questions,

Continued

• Describe a situation where others you were 

working with on a project disagreed with your 

ideas. What did you do?

• Tell me about a time when you had to go 

above and beyond the call of duty in order to 

get a job done.
• Describe something you have done that shows your skill 

in inspiring others to pursue strategic goals or corporate 

values. 

How did you know when you were successful?

• We value people who display a high level of initiative. 

Tell me about a time when your initiative caused a 

change to occur.

• Tell me about a goal that you set but did not reach. 

What obstacles did you encounter?

What action did you take?

What did you learn?

Sample BBI Questions,

Continued
• SkillSoft has online training courses (at no 

cost).

• Search the Internet on Behavior-Based 

Interviewing and you will find THOUSANDS 

of sites with sample questions.

More Information
• The DLA Behavior Based Instructor Led 

Training (HR-BBIILT)

• Interviewing Skills for Candidates (Rutgers 

University Human Resources 

Professional Development Program)

This briefing contains information from the 

following: 

References